SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Small Business a question regarding Small Business Month.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: As honourable members would be aware, October is Small Business Month. More than 60 events are being held across the state to mark this year's Small Business Month. I understand that one of the most anticipated events is the launch of the government's Small Business Statement. Will the minister provide an update on progress in formulating this important document?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:21): I thank the honourable member for his important and most timely question. I can inform the member that, today, I have launched the long-awaited Small Business Statement. This statement, prepared with considerable input from industry and members of the public, highlights the Rann government's commitment to creating Australia's most supportive environment for small business. With many of the government programs spread across several agencies, the Small Business Statement was an opportunity for a stocktake of all these various initiatives.

The statement now provides an up-to-date inventory across the various government agencies of the large number of programs and support services already provided to business operators. This exercise highlighted to me the need for us to provide easier access to these programs and services, and that is why the government has now embarked on what we call the Ask Just Once strategy. This strategy will eventually provide a single point of entry for busy small business operators to obtain the information and support they need through one website.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Yes; it would be great. With more than 130,000 small businesses employing more than half the private sector workforce, it is important that the government continue to create a business environment in which small firms can reach their full potential. This government recognises the essential role played by small businesses in providing a sustainable and prosperous economy and a vibrant community.

The Small Business Statement reinforces our aim to create the most supportive business environment in Australia by continuing to deliver on world-class infrastructure, encouraging innovative new thinking and technologies and providing the most up-to-date advice and skills development. This government will also continue to foster awareness of the opportunities provided by the digital economy, working closely with the Business Development Council, professional and industry bodies, as well as the general community, to advance the cause of small business.

The Small Business Statement also reinforces the government's commitment to maximise opportunities for small business in priority projects and improve the information flow between government and small business. The Small Business Statement follows extensive community consultation, including submissions from the public, as well as input from the Business Development Council and the government's special advisory body on small and family business issues. The document is drawn on the experience of small business operators through a number of case studies highlighted in the statement.

Since coming to office 7½ years ago, this government has slashed red tape, reduced payroll tax and launched a range of advisory marketing and skills development services.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, the only government in the past 15 years to effectively either jack up land tax or reduce thresholds has been the Liberal government. That stands as a record. This government has actually cut rates. The party of the honourable member stands as the only party in the past two decades to make those changes to land tax, which has resulted in people who have the same valued property effectively paying more. That is the reality.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: And we look forward to the Leader of the Opposition telling us how she might pay for some of the promises he has been making.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The opposition will suffer in silence.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: It was such a good statement that it is worth repeating: since coming to office 7½ years ago, this government has slashed red tape, reduced payroll tax and launched a range of advisory marketing and skills development services. We have also implemented many of the recommendations of Thinker in Residence Dennis Jaffe, a world expert on family business. These included the appointment of a family business development manager and broadening the range of courses and support available through our networks of business enterprise centres and regional development boards.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Obviously, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition does not think much of family business; she does not understand. Perhaps if she understood its importance to the economy and the fact that up to 46 per cent of businesses fall into that category, she might understand that it is an extremely important initiative. However, we know that members opposite do not agree that we should have Thinkers in Residence and get information and new ideas from people in the rest of the world. As I mentioned—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, it's your time.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Members on the government benches will stop baiting the opposition.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: As mentioned, October is Small Business Month and, while the release of the Small Business Statement marks the midpoint, there are still many activities remaining on the calendar. These include the Northern Regional Development Board's launch of the new IT centre in Port Augusta. In Seaford the Southern Success Business Enterprise Centre, combined with Southern Futures Inc., will present a small business dinner to highlight the work of three industry roundtables that have been working in the area.

In Gawler, the Northern Adelaide BEC will be launching its Women in Business forum under the heading 'Venture Beyond Everyday'; Family Business Australia will be running a workshop for members and other interested family businesses, focusing on exit strategies; and the Australian Institute of Management will again present its annual management conference, umanage, with a keynote speaker from the United States talking about the application of the Six Sigma process to small business.

A highlight of this year's Small Business Month will be the Small Business Forum, a meeting place for business and government leaders and small business owners and managers. This forum, on 30 October, is to be presented by the Department of Trade and Economic Development in conjunction with the Business Development Council and Business SA. Small Business Month recognises the importance this government places on small businesses and the contribution they make not only to the economy and productivity of the state but to the life and culture of communities throughout South Australia.